Manitoba

Winnipeg's Maria Aragon's single to benefit Philippine typhoon victims

A young Winnipeg girl who became a YouTube sensation covering Lady Gaga’s Born This Way is turning her attention to the Philippines.

Maria Aragon releases single called United We Stand

Maria Aragon hopes her new single will help people affected by the typhoon, including members of her family. (CBC)

A young Winnipeg girl who became a YouTube sensation covering Lady Gaga’s Born This Way is turning her attention to the Philippines.

Maria Aragon, 13, will release a single this month called United We Stand.

It will benefit victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

The song was recorded with the help of the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir.

Aragon’s family roots are in the Philippines and her mother has family who were hit by the typhoon.

She describes the song, written by Naomi Striemer, as a message of hope to victims and the rest of the world.

“The whole Filipino community has been devastated by what happened in the Philippines and I think it’s only right that we come together and do something special meant for them,” says the teen.

“Even though it was pretty bad it could have been worse.”

Three years ago, Aragon shot to fame after a video of her performance was reposed by Lady Gaga, eventually receiving more than 11 million views.

Lady Gaga later invited her to do a duet during a concert in Toronto, leading to a whirlwind series of television performances and public appearances.